When people travel to a new place, they always want to indulge in food, drink, and fun, while experiencing the local way of life. However, unless you are traveling with a tour group, it can be quite tricky to find authentic local cuisine in unfamiliar surroundings. In response to this challenge, travel experts have shared four tips that you may find useful.
According to a report from the Huffington Post, finding places to eat while traveling can be challenging if you are not aware of some tips. This is because online reviews can be unreliable, and the people you are traveling with may have different preferences, adding pressure to find a place that everyone will enjoy.
Here are four secrets provided by travel experts to help you discover local cuisine:
Jonathan Alder, the founder of Jonathan’s Travels, emphasized the importance of effectively using Google search engine. He mentioned that when exploring European cities, he skips trendy or quirky spots and focuses on finding the most traditional local cuisine by searching for keywords like “best local” or “traditional restaurants near me” and delving into reviews to find authentic small cafes that offer affordable prices.
Aly Walansky, a freelance journalist who writes about food and travel, shared her strategy of using the Google Maps app to search for “cheap restaurants nearby” to see what comes up. She highlighted that while this method may not lead you to the absolute best restaurants, you can also try using open-source apps and websites. For instance, searching on Reddit for “best food in (a certain place)” can reveal genuine opinions and discussions from real people on the topic.
Walansky emphasized the importance of asking locals about what they eat to get insights. She expressed that she doesn’t rely on online research or reading articles to find new places but rather engages in conversations with people she meets along the way — such as Uber drivers, flight attendants who have frequent layovers, and people she encounters in hotels and bars. These individuals who have tried those places often serve as valuable resources.
When exploring a new place, Walansky recommended observing where the locals tend to gather. For example, if one spot in an Italian square has a line while another doesn’t, you can infer which one to try based on the crowd.
She advised, “Think about places that look crowded with locals, not just with other tourists.”
Hotel front desk staff can be a significant resource while traveling as they can assist you in making dinner reservations and are likely to recommend many restaurants based on your preferences.
Lauren Wilt, the CEO of Quintessentially in the US, a company that provides concierge services, mentioned that front desk staff not only have a good understanding of the local scene to offer unusual dining experiences but also build relationships with top restaurants that have high demand during peak travel seasons.
Alder highlighted that front desk staff’s local expertise often focuses on dining options near the hotel, making them valuable resources for food recommendations.
He added that while he doesn’t rely on hotels for arranging tours or transportation, they excel when it comes to dining.
If you have your itinerary arranged by a travel agency, you can ask them to recommend restaurants. They can help narrow down options and pinpoint the exact locations for the types of food you are interested in trying throughout your trip. This can be especially helpful when you are indecisive or struggling to choose from various options.
Alder mentioned that one of the significant advantages of having a travel agency arrange your itinerary is their first-hand experience. They frequently visit the destination and can recommend restaurants based on your needs, ensuring you have a great dining experience.